So here I go, off to Comic Con…  and I am a Comic Con Virgin… but I will be going with two Geekalicious Ladies who live for Geekdom..  and hopefully we won’t be trampled by a slew of Iron Men in the process…  I am both excited and freaked out. I have been to CES many times and been among geeks in regular clothing, but Comic Con is where I will for once be one of the most conservatively dressed people in any given room. This is going to be good!

FYI: Video is some dude I don’t know who put together some highlights from last year.

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Check out the Trailer for this Indy Film… very cool.

Twitter is a great source for finding interesting people, as evidenced by Travis Legge, a film-maker from Rockford, IL. I am a struggling Screenwriter from Los Angeles, Ca and I love to tweet with #scriptchat peeps and noticed Travis seeking funding for his Horror flick. I checked out his stuff and thought he seemed really cool and his project was a classic horror flick in the tradition of Halloween, which scared me to death as a pre-teen.. I love to support Independant film-makers who are out there making film happen, so I am very excited to present this update on the film and the teaser trailer! I can’t wait to see the finished project!

Here is  my original post on the film project…

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Here is a comprehensive LINKED list of the best screenwriting books out there. If you are an aspiring screenwriter, you MUST READ these books. Of course along with LOTS AND LOTS of screenplays.!

The Complete Guide to Standard Script Formats – Cole/Haag
The Screenwriter’s Bible – David Trottier
The Elements of Style – William Strunk & E.B. White
Becoming a Writer – Dorothea Brande
On Writing Well – William Zinsser
The Comedy Bible – Judy Carter

How to Write a Movie in 21 Days

The Eight Characters of Comedy – Scott Sedita
How NOT to Write a Screenplay – Denny Martin Flinn
The Third Act – Drew Yanno

Sit Ubu Sit – Gary David Goldberg

Adventures in the Screen Trade” by William Goldman

My Movie Business
Save the Cat – Blake Snyder
On Writing – Stephen King
Aristotle’s Poetics for Screenwriters – Michael Tierno Hyperion
Creating Unforgettable Characters – Linda Seger
Hello, Lied the Agent – Ian Gurvitz
Making a Good Script Great – Linda Seger Samuel

African American Screenwriters
Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds
Successful Sitcom Writing – Jurgen Wolff
The Art of Dramatic Writing – Lajos Egri
The One-Hour Drama Series: Producing Episodic Television – Robert Del Valle
The Power of Myth – Joseph Campbell
The Script is Finished, Now What Do I Do? – K. Callen
The Sitcom Career Book – Mary Lou Belli & Phil Ramuno
The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers – Christopher Vogler
Wake Me When It’s Funny – Garry Marshall
Writing Down the Bones – Natalie Goldberg
You’re Lucky You’re Funny – Phil Rosenthal

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Are you ready to sell your screenplay?

If you have gotten tons of feedback via local groups, acting collaborations to have your script read aloud (good local groups can be found or made at Meetups.com

Perfect the scripts to your absolute BEST. I love Save the Cat, by Blake Snyder – its is great.. there are tons of books you can read on the topic and of course you should read tons of screenplays, lots are available for free at: Script-O-Rama!  and SimplyScripts (sometimes these are post shooting scripts, but it still helps to see how others handle communicating actions etc.)

I have a list of screenwriting software here: List of Screenwriting Software and i use movie magic screenwriter but have used Final Draft as well. Format is a big deal for readers, so make sure you are up on all that stuff.

Ummm… so, when you are ready to roll.. I would work out a killer log line – here is an article on that, but SAVE THE CAT has the best formula i have heard for it yet.. LogLines for Screenplay and you can buy Save the Cat here!

Then, I would create a great query letter, here is some info on what that:  http://www.isomedia.com/homes/screen/query.htm & http://filmdiva.blogspot.com/2006/07/sample-query-letter-really.html

This will be your first impression (never send an entire script, unless it has been asked for.. it is a waste of your money and time – start with a query letter).

OKAY! Now you are ready to spend some cash! Get a subscription to Hollywood Creative Directory Online as well as Internet Movie Database Pro and use those to create a data base of people you will mail to.. I like to seek out Development Execs and people involved in producing films similar to the script i am trying to sell on IMDBpro and then look their information up in HCDonline.com and send to them specifically. but there are lots of ways to use the information those two sources give you.

Make sure to follow any requirements listed. Whether you are sending to a producer, dev exec, agent or other. Some people send queries even when “no unsolicited material” is accepted.. its your money.. sometimes you get lucky, so you can make that call.

Most of all, if you get ANY feedback in a rejection notice outside of the usual form letter, CHERISH it.. i always stress that, because they took the time to give you something valuable.. their opinion on what you can do to improve your chances and an opening to send a follow up thanking them and perhaps even re-sending the script back after the changes have been made.

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I am been totally neglecting my blog and I apologize. Not that the universe cracks or anything when I don’t blog, but it seems rude to start something and then just become absent with out an explanation. I started a new job back in April running a corporate marketing department and I am also in the middle of relocating from Los Angeles City to the LBC near the Pike.. watch our Foursquare Mayors in the area, here i come! Anyway, this means I haven’t had much time for blogging, but i still love you and here is a Robert McKee interview to prove it!

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Whoop Whoop! Support Indie Film Makers! So you are always complaining that there are no real Indie Films anyway.. that Sundance is littered with professionals who bogart all the funds and awards and that no one can get their foot in the door. So help out! I follow this guy on twitter (@TravisLegge) and he has just started work on his first feature length film called Raymond Did It. It is a slasher film in the tradition of Halloween and Prom Night. YAY HORROR!

The storyline?

When twelve-year-old Bryce Rourke is accidentally killed in a playground scuffle, his friends decide to blame Bryce’s developmentally delayed older brother for the accident. Raymond is taken to a state hospital while the true killer walks free. Six years later, Raymond escapes from the hospital to seek bloody revenge for his brother’s death.

OOooOoo  reminds me of Halloween for sure! That stuff is scary!

The film is written and directed by Travis Legge (Jimmy’s Basement, Nation Undead: Kept). Travis  has written comic books and roleplaying games, including the critically acclaimed Contagion game setting.

Others involved in the production include:

Visual Supervisor and Camera Operator Tim Stotz a professional video producer for over a decade, with hundreds of commercials, several shorts, and a feature under his belt.

Picture Editor Robert J. Williams a freelance assistant editor and aspiring picture editor working mainly out of the Chicago area. He recently cut the trailer for a highly anticipated 2011 feature and assisted on a National PBS Documentary Special.

The film stars Kyle Hoskins (Skeet Shooting, Nation Undead: Kept) as a developmentally delayed man framed for murder and bent on vengeance. Kyle has previously played lovelorn slackers, average joes tormented by zombies, and brings a wide range of ability to the role of Raymond. Standing at 6’5″ tall, with a massive, bulky build, Kyle is among one of the largest, most imposing figures to take on the role of a slasher. Sounds very Michael Myers!

Lindsay Felton (VH1 Scream Queens, Grind) co-stars as Tammy, a young woman tormented by guilt for what she and her friends did to Raymond. With years in front of the camera, having worked with some of the greatest talents in Hollywood, Lindsay brings experience and finely-tuned craft to this demanding role.

Also joining the cast are Valerie Meachum (Cyrus) ,  Linda Cieslik (New Day) & Jessica Palette (VH1 Scream Queens, Under the Raven’s Wing).

CAST UPDATES!!!

Plastic Age Productions is proud to announce that Elissa Dowling (Nightstalker, Dread) has joined the cast of Raymond Did It!

Elissa will be playing the role of Paige, the icy “leader” of her group of friends. Paige is cruel and manipulative to her friends and loves only herself. Everyone else, she tolerates.

Elissa is an incredibly hardworking actress with over 40 horror movies to her credit. Coming hot off of the heels of After Dark Horrorfest IV, and with several films already in production for 2010, we are overcome with joy to have acquired such a hot and in demand talent.

ALSO NEW TO THE CAST!

Jessica Palette

Jessica Palette (VH1 Scream Queens, Under the Raven’s Wing)

Jessica will be playing the role of Jayme, the popular kid, with a very high opinion of herself and her own importance. She shifts from cute to bitchy with the practiced panache of the most popular girl in school.

Jessica was a member of the season one cast of the horror film stardom reality television show VH1 Scream Queens alongside Raymond Did It co-star Lindsay Felton. This will be the first time the pair have shared the screen since the show. Everyone at Plastic Age Productions couldn’t be happier to have this outstanding actress as an addition to our cast!

Vh1 Scream Queens is the brainchild of the extremely creative and talented Joke Productions and showcases several talented young actresses who compete for a role in a major horror film release. The second season of Vh1 Scream Queens is currently in post production and set to air later this year!

Jessica recently starred in the short film Invincible Summer which will be making its way around the festival circuit this summer.

Keep an eye on this space as there will be more casting updates coming soon!

For more information and updates please keep an eye on http://blog.aegisstudios.com

Official Raymond Did It website: http://raymonddidit.aegisstudios.com

Plastic Age Productions is currently seeking additional investors and distribution forRaymond Did It. Interested parties should contact writer/director Travis Legge at raymonddidit@gmail.com for more information.

Actors interested in available roles should check out the casting call available online at http://www.aegisstudios.com/casting.html

+++++++++++++++ UPDATES! UPDATES! UPDATES!+++++++++++++++++++

Plastic Age Productions is proud to announce that the following actors have joined the cast of Raymond Did It!

Steven Lee Edwards will be playing the role of Tim, the practical voice of reason of the group. When the terror begins, Tim tries to keep everyone calm and find a way to stay alive.

Steven is currently living in New York and performing in two stage shows – playing Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream as well as portraying a Vietnam veteran in a gospel musical.

Steven has extensive stage experience and is a joyful, charismatic actor.

Photo Courtesy Steven Lee Edwards

Alex Smeltzer will be playing the role of Edgar, the laid back slacker of the group. Out of all of the kids involved in Bryce’s death, only Edgar remains close with Tammy, because Edgar is close with everyone. He is a social butterfly. Alex Smeltzer was born and raised in Rockford, Illinois. Raymond Did It is his film debut, and we couldn’t be happier to introduce this talented young actor to the world of film! Alex is currently studying theater at Rock Valley College under Starlight Theatre director Mike Webb.

Photo By Kim Brown

Ty Yeager will be playing the role of Simon. Simon is completely unaware of the events that led to Bryce’s death. Simon began dating Paige in high school, long after Raymond was locked away. With Raymond on the loose and his girlfriend in danger, Simon is dragged into a situation he doesn’t understand.

Ty Yeager was born in Fresno, California where he lived until a house fire caused his family to relocate to the midwest. After living in Belvidere, Illinois for 8 years, Ty has recently relocated to Rockford. Ty has dreamed of pursuing a career in acting since childhood and we are honored to be able to make that dream come true.

Photo by Kim Brown

Along with former VH1 Scream Queens Lindsay Felton (VH1 Scream Queens, Grind) and Jessica Palette (VH1 Scream Queens, Under the Raven’s Wing), as well as the hardest working lady in horror Elissa Dowling (Nightstalker, Dread) and midwestern talents Valerie Meachum (Cyrus) and Linda Cieslik (New Day) the adult cast of Raymond Did It is now complete!

We are still seeking actors and actresses between the ages of 11-14. Details can be found at http://www.aegisstudios.com/casting.html

Raymond Did It begins filming in Rockford, Illinois in June 2010

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A list of Screenwriting Software

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When a film in this genre can grab my attention (someone who hates war films with nothing but male characters) attention and keep it 100% from credits to credits… I have to be impressed. This film is unwavering, true, real and yet not a gore fest. It speaks to the conditions of today’s war as well as the human mind and the dynamic of “normalcy” and responsibility – leadership and brotherhood. I was absolutely impressed by every participant in the creation and execution of this amazing piece of work!

ZD Scribd iPaper

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Ready to Fall In Love Again – Repost

I was just thinking today about how you can work very hard to get somewhere you never wanted to be… a place in life that really doesn’t suit you.. although you are successfully placed… you are not fulfilled…

Maybe this is what Mary meant when she thought about returning to her former Gothic Girl Self… I don’t know.. I often think lately about the me that would spend days at a time building sets, finding props and casting parts, writing scripts and shooting scenes.. hours on my knees with all sorts of electronics, wires and mics, cameras, vcrs, tvs hooked together into a menagerie of editing and dubbing equipment that I would use to assemble a film that perhaps only a few people would ever see.

why did i go from not understanding the word impossible.. to accepting the probable as fact? I am sure some would say this is called growing up, but when i was a kid.. well, a 13-23 year old, there was nothing but film-making.. nothing but plays, scripts, films.. writing, shooting, stomping off the set when my cast wouldn’t stop laughing during serious takes… this was life… living for the next reason to shout “Action!”

Now I get paid for creatives that help other people sell money to people who want to invest in property and have the American Dream.. it is nothing to be ashamed of… i am a home owner myself… it’s a good business and i am glad to do well at something still so fundamentally creative.. but it doesn’t fill that hole in my heart… it doesn’t feel the way the story does.. coming out of me, onto paper.. onto celluloid.. onto youtube?

There is a basic argument here. I was in an investment seminar recently.. talking stocks and bonds and 401k retirement funds… and it hit me.. i am on this road.. to a safe and plotted life.. work hard, save money, build equity, buy an investment property, get married, have kids, get old.. etc… granted, i support my family, eat very finely, drink even better and party well… a girl has to have some fun… but still… will i ever have a better shot at returning to myself… is the time coming to make the change?

the other road is un-sure.. no steady income, no guaranteed security… can you even pay your mortgage and buy way too many pairs of designer shoes (current count about 200)
and the real question.. can i have both?

I am willing to try…. i want my passion back.. i want to fall in love again… i want the thrill of the story back in my blood, i want to chase that perfect plot line and do more than dream about that Oscar…

Ok.. I talked me into it… ACTION!

RE-POSTED from TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2008

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Julie & Julia Trailer We all know that Meryl Streep is a Goddess of immeasuable talent, rare beauty, class and of course a master of comedic timing, so when you see her as Julia Childs, you don’t really bat an eyelash at the sheer perfection. It isn’t until about half way through the film when you begin to understand how wonderfully she is conveying this human being with respect rather than mocking her, in the way that so many others have done. Although she creates the classic JULIA for us, she also gives her a depth that was never possible watching her tv show, or reading her cook books. Here was a woman… and a Chef.. but first a woman…

I really enjoyed the Julia scenes, and felt that the Julie scenes were filler and came across as an excuse to tell what would have on it’s own been an inthralling tale of a human life. I could have watched another hour of Meryl as Julia rather than the sort of “bridget jonesish” tirads of the Julie Powell character played by Amy Adams. (who was cute and fair).

I think it is sufficient to say that Julia’s cookbook has enjoyed a resurrgence of followers and buyers and there will be more french cooking going on in kitchens this fall than there has in the past five years while the Julie & Julia book rather languishes in sales…

I do adore Julia and Meryl… and Julie Powell did bring them together in a way.. and that is a great thing! So Thanks, Ladies…

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